Alec decided using his dragon knowledge, that the huge tree at the back of the island was a Whistler nest. so, with the small hope that Krystal was alive, and the possibility that the hollow tree was a nest, we continued on our journey. Our next hump in the road was a river. It was long, fast, deep and cold. Not inviting. As we came to the icy water's edge Alec was first to go in, as always.

"Step where I step and you'll be ok."

Leo went next, then me, then Faith and Tristen brought up the rear. The water soaked into my boots and through my socks. It was so cold I could almost not feel it. The water was up to our waists. When we were a third of the way across. I was shivering so much it was almost violently. Leo suddenly stopped dead in his tracks and gasped.

"There's something in the water."

Faith felt it too as it brushed against her legs.

I broke into a whisper.

"What is it?"

Alec turned round.

"Fish, maybe a shark, possibly leviathan?"

It burst out of the water it's thousands of teeth shining and its eyes poised for destruction.

"Class two leviathan. Run!"

We started running/swimming towards the bank. It was quickly on our tails and getting faster. Alec clambered onto shore and helped Leo and I up. Tristen lifted Faith up and reached for Alec's hand, but it was too late. The monster grabbed Leo's leg and dragged him under.

"Quick push rocks in to distract him!"

It worked and we had a few seconds to drag Tristen out. with us all working together we pulled him onto the bank in time and waved good ridance to the fish/shark/dragon thing. Tristen lay down on the mossy rocks. he had a bad bite on his leg and blood flowed freely from it.

"here."

Alec ripped off part of his shirt and tied it round the wound. Tristen had been dragged under and was soaked from head to toe and shivering. I pulled Alec over to a tree.

"Krystal's gone, Tristen was almost killed! What's next, we need to get out of here!"

Alec nodded.

"I'll go on alone, take the others back to the cave."

I didn't let him finish. "No, I'll go. You take the others back, that way you can protect Faith and Tristen's going to need help."

He shook his head quickly and stood tall as if to overrule me.

"No! I won't let you go alone! You don't even know how to train a dragon!"

I rested my hand on his cheek.

"You're right, I don't. Which is why..."

He ignored me, walked back to the group and grabbed Leo by the arm.

"Can I count on you to get the others back to first cave?"

Leo nodded and saluted.

"Yes, yes Sir! Where the heck are you going, you balloon! We've got this far, we all can't go back now!"

Alec stared deeply into Leo's terrified face.

"We're not, but you need to take Tristen and Faith back. It's not safe where we're going. This is all my fault and I cannot let you all die just because I made a stupid mistake of not starting this journey alone in the first place. Liss is gonna come with me."

Leo felt a surge of pain strike his heart.

"What if you never come back?"

Alec shrugged and patted Leo's cheek.

"At least you'll know we made it to the nest."

Leo gave Alec a one-armed man hug and took a step back.

"Adios Captain Bogeyface!"

Alec laughed and ran back with a plan in mind.

"Leo's going to take the others back."

I ran over to Faith and threw my arms round her shoulders.

"Be good. Do what Leo says."

Faith looked up into my face and started to tear my heart with her tears as they rolled from her chocolate eyes.

"Promise me you'll come back..."

I kissed her forehead and tried not to cry, but Faith caught the tear that slipped from my eye on her pinky finger.

"I can't, but I can promise that I will always be with you even if I don't come home. But, if I die.."

She stopped me.

"No! No you're not going to die!"

I shushed her with a single finger on her lips.

"If I die, promise me you'll live life for me, make it fun and laugh. Laugh a lot because you know that the sound of your laugh makes me happy."

Faith nodded and hugged me one more time.

"Ok. I promise to laugh when I think of you."

I kissed her cheek and started to walk away.

"I love you."

I took Alec's hand and we lost view of them in the trees. It was easier and harder without the others. We could cover more ground faster, but we didn't have the same safe feeling.

As Saturday morning became Saturday night, Alec and I settled down for our first night alone. We jumped at every tiny sound and didn't really get any sleep. My heart sank when I saw the sunrise peaking through the trees. We had another whole day of travelling ahead.